HTPC setup, experts I need your help! :(

[The_Knight_Huma]

Hey guys, I've tried setting up my current pc as a htpc i5 3.3ghz with 560gtx ti sli mode with 8gb ram. It runs smoothly when I have only two monitors setup but when I introduce my tv as a third display it tends to stutter quite a bit. No amount of updating firmware (switching cables) and all that seems to work. The only solution I've found so far is when I unplug one of the monitors. (Currently its the tv and the main monitor is connected to the graphics card while the secondary monitor is connected to the motherboard dvi slot) Even switching the inputs around I still face the same problem. So I've decided that baring plugging in and out the cables all the time when I want to watch movies on my tv, I'll just get a htpc instead.

So all I need for the htpc is:
as small a casing as possible (probably something that's like a mini itx setup?)
plays hd videos over hdmi smoothly
surf the internet and stream full hd videos smoothly

That's pretty much it. No gaming on it whatsoever. Perhaps some old school arcade games from emulators but I doubt those require much processing power?

I found a recommendation for a similar setup but I was wondering are there any other options?>

CPU and Mobo: Intel G2020 + Asrock B77M ITX @ $172
SSD: Plextor M5S 128GB @ $139
HDD: Hitachi Deskstar 2TB @ ~$116
Ram: Kingston 1600mhz 4GB @ ~$38
Casing: Jonsbo V2 with 300W PSU @ $99 (this casing is pretty much as big as I can go)

Total: $564

I MIGHT not get the 2tb hdd since I already have an external 4tb hdd. Any idea how much does a windows os now a days cost?

I'm trying to keep the total under $600.
But if upping the budget to $650 can get me a setup that can play games so that when I have friends over it can be used for a lan party that would be nice too, but as mentioned before it must be the smallest casing possible. Also my sister has a mini itx casing but its quite loud, so something that's quiet too is a must.

Thanks guys, I need it within a week's time so gotta confirm the deets soon. Your help is much appreciated!

 

[The_Knight_Huma]

The Palit GeForce GTX 650 Ti OC 2gb looks like quite a nice budget card? : D Any way I can it in in any of the smaller cases and can it fit my budget if I exclude the hdd?

 

[royfrosty]

Hey guys, I've tried setting up my current pc as a htpc i5 3.3ghz with 560gtx ti sli mode with 8gb ram. It runs smoothly when I have only two monitors setup but when I introduce my tv as a third display it tends to stutter quite a bit. No amount of updating firmware (switching cables) and all that seems to work. The only solution I've found so far is when I unplug one of the monitors. (Currently its the tv and the main monitor is connected to the graphics card while the secondary monitor is connected to the motherboard dvi slot) Even switching the inputs around I still face the same problem. So I've decided that baring plugging in and out the cables all the time when I want to watch movies on my tv, I'll just get a htpc instead.

So all I need for the htpc is:
as small a casing as possible (probably something that's like a mini itx setup?)
plays hd videos over hdmi smoothly
surf the internet and stream full hd videos smoothly

That's pretty much it. No gaming on it whatsoever. Perhaps some old school arcade games from emulators but I doubt those require much processing power?

I found a recommendation for a similar setup but I was wondering are there any other options?>

CPU and Mobo: Intel G2020 + Asrock B77M ITX @ $172
SSD: Plextor M5S 128GB @ $139
HDD: Hitachi Deskstar 2TB @ ~$116
Ram: Kingston 1600mhz 4GB @ ~$38
Casing: Jonsbo V2 with 300W PSU @ $99 (this casing is pretty much as big as I can go)

Total: $564

I MIGHT not get the 2tb hdd since I already have an external 4tb hdd. Any idea how much does a windows os now a days cost?

I'm trying to keep the total under $600.
But if upping the budget to $650 can get me a setup that can play games so that when I have friends over it can be used for a lan party that would be nice too, but as mentioned before it must be the smallest casing possible. Also my sister has a mini itx casing but its quite loud, so something that's quiet too is a must.

Thanks guys, I need it within a week's time so gotta confirm the deets soon. Your help is much appreciated!

Did you just say you sli 2 gfx card on the itx mobo? How is that even possible?

 

[The_Knight_Huma]

Did you just say you sli 2 gfx card on the itx mobo? How is that even possible?

Sorry if I wasn't being clear. That setup is in my current pc.
The htpc I'm planning does not include those cards. lol.

Basically the first part is just an explanation of the current problem I'm facing. The next part is the setup I was thinking of getting and wanting inputs.

 

[XDeathLoRdz]

Don't know why it is causing the stuttering problem as i thought SLI 560 should be a strong combo.

But i guess it meant not enough juice to power triple display. Will you be using all three monitor when acting as a htpc? If not you could use a software to control your monitor. The one i am using now is call DisplayFusion

It allows you customize profile and switch around any combination of monitor you want. For example, I use my main and secondary monitor for normal usage, when i play PS3 on my primary monitor, i switch the primary display to secondary monitor.

There a free version and paid version but i think what you need is the paid version. Can take a look over here
Compare for the differences.

There also a free trial of 30days and i think you should try it to see if it suit your need instead of spending another $500 for a new htpc.

 

[The_Knight_Huma]

Another setup I was thinking of:

Jonsbo V3+ with FSP 300w $109
SSD: Plextor M5S 128GB @ $139
8GB Gskill DDR3-1333 $59
Leadtek GTX 650Ti 1GB OC $179
Intel G2020 + Asrock B77M ITX @ $172

Alternatively I can use one of my gtx 560 ti for the graphics card (can it fit the casing?)? Since I hardly game on my pc now a days.

Also how media playback with linux? Was thinking of using that instead of windows so can save some money. lol

 

[The_Knight_Huma]

Don't know why it is causing the stuttering problem as i thought SLI 560 should be a strong combo.

But i guess it meant not enough juice to power triple display. Will you be using all three monitor when acting as a htpc? If not you could use a software to control your monitor. The one i am using now is call DisplayFusion

It allows you customize profile and switch around any combination of monitor you want. For example, I use my main and secondary monitor for normal usage, when i play PS3 on my primary monitor, i switch the primary display to secondary monitor.

There a free version and paid version but i think what you need is the paid version. Can take a look over here
Compare for the differences.

There also a free trial of 30days and i think you should try it to see if it suit your need instead of spending another $500 for a new htpc.

hmm cool, thanks for the headsup , will check it out!

 

[hoven00]

GTX 650 on a 300W PSU enough ah? Seems very risky to me..

 

[Thehim]

Another setup I was thinking of:

Jonsbo V3+ with FSP 300w $109
SSD: Plextor M5S 128GB @ $139
8GB Gskill DDR3-1333 $59
Leadtek GTX 650Ti 1GB OC $179
Intel G2020 + Asrock B77M ITX @ $172

Alternatively I can use one of my gtx 560 ti for the graphics card (can it fit the casing?)? Since I hardly game on my pc now a days.

Also how media playback with linux? Was thinking of using that instead of windows so can save some money. lol

So all I need for the htpc is:
as small a casing as possible (probably something that's like a mini itx setup?)
plays hd videos over hdmi smoothly
surf the internet and stream full hd videos smoothly

That's pretty much it. No gaming on it whatsoever. Perhaps some old school arcade games from emulators but I doubt those require much processing power?

Emulator games I guess no need for your extra 560.
Intel HD Graphics is good enough for HD playback, surf nets.
If you were to stream videos over on network drives, go for SSD, lower the power requirement to below 150w, get a pico-psu and look real hard for freaking small case.
I'm no expert, just my 2 cents.

 

[The_Knight_Huma]

Emulator games I guess no need for your extra 560.
Intel HD Graphics is good enough for HD playback, surf nets.
If you were to stream videos over on network drives, go for SSD, lower the power requirement to below 150w, get a pico-psu and look real hard for freaking small case.
I'm no expert, just my 2 cents.

ah thanks! Definitely will consider all this. But the good news is right now I've managed to in a way solve the problem. Thanks to deathlords idea. All I did was disable one of the monitors via windows and puff, it works! Now no more stuttering issues whatsoever. Although I am still considering getting another pc just for htpc usage since my current pc is a power guzzler.

 

[Thehim]

ah thanks! Definitely will consider all this. But the good news is right now I've managed to in a way solve the problem. Thanks to deathlords idea. All I did was disable one of the monitors via windows and puff, it works! Now no more stuttering issues whatsoever. Although I am still considering getting another pc just for htpc usage since my current pc is a power guzzler.

If you're caring for the earth, wants to use lesser power, and have spare cash.
Can go for HTPC for movies and surfing web while use your main com only for gaming.

 

[vivalarave]

have you looked into ipc?
look at advantech DS-062, just mount behind the tv